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Bonnie Blackburn, I've just noted, had this to say; I thought I'd post it, to save members who may have proceeded to remind me of it! -- G * * * * * It was perhaps overoptimistic to call Catherine of Bologna a painter, but she certainly is an interesting person. There's an article on her in the Dizionario biografico degli italiani, xxii. 381-3 (Caterina Vigri). She had a good education as companion of Margherita d'Este at the Ferrarese court: here she learnt Latin, to write a beautiful humanistic hand, and to play a string instrument. When Margherita married in 1426, Caterina joined a lay community. Later she entered an Augustinian convent, which then became a convent of Poor Clares. In 1456 she moved to Bologna (her city of origin) and founded another community of Poor Clares, subsequently known as Corpus Domini, subsequently becoming abbess. As to her writings: this is a largely autobiographical treatise called `Le sette armi spirituali' (ed. P. Puliatti, Modena, 1963), the original of which still exists, illuminated by her. It became very popular and was printed at least twenty times, and translated into Latin as well as other languages. Other writings remain, including poetry, but not in autograph copies. Her breviary, copied and illuminated by her, still exists. During one of her illnesses, Caterina asked for a `violeta' to play, to help her in her devotions. This still exists in her tomb in Corpus Domini. The nuns graciously allowed Marco Tiella to examine it, and he wrote about it in the Galpin Society Journal, 28 (1975), 60-70. It is of particular interest to historians of instruments because it is a rare example of an early string instrument that has not been altered; curiously, it seems to have been carved out of a single piece of wood. When Caterina's body was discovered to be incorrupt, it was placed in the church and became an object of veneration--indeed a great tourist attraction in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Englishman Francis Mortoft, who visited Italy in 1659, was terribly disappointed that he couldn't see her: In this Citty [Bologna] is to be seene the Body of A Nunn, called Santa Catherina, who, though dead about 400 yeares agoe, yet her Body, as is reported, remaines in as perfect a shape as though she were Living, her eyes also looking as lively and bright as any living persons. They report many strange storyes and miracles that she doth; she wants not persons dayly to visit her, and most of those that visit her forget not to performe their devotions before this dead Body. Wee were to see this miracle, but, it being a day whereon they use to change her cloaths, wee could not see it, unless wee came two howers after, which tyme not permitting us, so that wee went out of the Towne without seeing this Body, which is accounted one of the wonderfullest things in Italy. (This tourist, stimulated by the medieval-religion list, hopes to check this out in person in May!) Bonnie Blackburn * * * * * * * * * Bonnie: did you in fact check it out? George George Ferzoco tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654 Director of Studies for Italian fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633 University of Leicester e-mail [log in to unmask] School of Modern Languages LEICESTER LE1 7RH UNITED KINGDOM %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%